Spooling apparatus



June 20, 1944- c. J. DENTZER ETAL 2,351,669

SPOOLING APPARATUS IN RSI (HEL J DENTZEE, HUE/45 EIR ATTO EY- .June 20,1944 c. J. DENTZER ET AL 2,351,659

`SPOIJING APPARATUS Filed Oct. l, 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 F-IE- 2..

if i5 if i@ i0 o vENToRS: e J. 0 /vrzf/e, u uff/verme C4 and o? 0 Jlf2/SK EIR ATTORNEY.

di l0 7@ 3f June 20, 1944. c. J. DENTZER ETAL SPOOLING APPARATUS FiledOct. l, 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS: (HEL J @ENTZf-/e dw msHz/,ewe

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l BY: (i) 14am Arron EY.

y? my@ June 20, 1944. c. J. DENTZER ET AL 2,351,669

SPOOLING APPARATUS Filed Oct. l, 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 v THEIR ATTORNEY.

Patented June 20, 1944 SPOOLING APPARATUS Carl J. Dentzer, Parma, Guy W.Shnrmer, Warrensville, and Otto J. Vanek, Cleveland, Ohio, assignors toThe American Steel and Wire Com- Bey pany oi New Jersey, a corporationof New Jer- Applicatlon October 1, 1942, Serial N0. 460,434 13 Claims.(Cl. 242-25) The present invention relates to improvements in apparatusfor spooling wire in separate batches periodically as the wireaccumulates on a rotary or stationary block of any conventional form ofwire drawing machine. The novel features relate to the improvedstructural arrangement and coordination of parts or equivalents thereofsuch as shown in the accompanying drawings and defined withparticularity in the appended claims.

For a more complete understanding of the invention, reference should bemade to the accompanying drawings, the following detailed disclosure andthe appended claims.

In the drawings:

, Figure 1 is a plan view illustrativev of a preierred construction ofthe machine embodying the present invention;

Figure 2 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in section asindicated by 4the staggered line II-II of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary transverse section-on line III-III of Figure2;

Figure 4 is a transverse section on line IV-IV of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a detailed view illustrating a traversing mechanism taken online V--V of Figure 2;

Figures 6 and 7 are, respectively, a plan view and side elevation ofparts shown in Figure 5 with portions broken away and shown in sectionin the interest of clearness; and

Figure 8 is an elevation illustrating a modification oi a reel rotatableon a vertical axis.

Referring in detail to the drawings l0 and i2 represent respective endvframes to which there is secured a platform I4 supporting the maindrive moto' I6, and a. top plate l8.which serves as a supporting basefor many component parts of theI mechanism to be described. The armatureshaft of the motor I6 carries a double grooved pulley 20 around which istrained a parallel pair of the belts 22 transmitting the motor drive toa double grooved pulley 24 secured to a countershait 26 mounted insuitable bearings 28 carried by the frame structure of the machine.

'I'he shaft 26 near one end carries a pulley 30 which is connected by a4belt 82 to a pulley 84 keyed or otherwise secured to a hollow trunnion36 journaled in bearings 31 which serve to rotatably support a filer 38.

As shown at the left in Figures 1 and 2, 40 represents the fixed blockof a continuous ilne wire drawing machine. One extremity of the block issuitably supported by an upright 42 carried by a; bracket 44 secured tothe end frame I0 of the machine. The block 46 as illustrated is oiskeleton form and it may be of considerable length so as to provide forthe accumulation of an extremely long coiled bundle 46 of line wire, saythree or four feet in length by about one foot in diameter. The wire ofthe bundle 46 may be regarded as having accumulated over a long periodoi time as the result of a conventional wire drawing operation, forexample, the same mayaccumulate continuously for several hours on theblock 46 as the wire drawing operation proceeds. The machine of thepresent invention is arranged to withdraw the f wire from the bundle inintermittent stages and to accumulate it in separate batches on separatespools in a rapid yet reliable manner. The spools are carried by arotatable turret which the operatorI manually turns and locks in desiredpositions as hereinafter described.

The trunnion 36 of the ilier 38 has a central longitudinally extendingpassageway 46 formed thereon. An inner grooved guide sheave 50 isrotatably mounted on the iiier and is adapted to guide thelongitudinally advancing wire w in its outward travel where it passesover guide sheaves 52 and 54. From the guide sheave 54 the wire passesto and around another guide sheave 55 thence between straightener rolls56 and around guide sheave 51 to the point 58 where it is fastened tothe spool 60. The stretch of wire between the sheave 64 and the sheave51 is in a plane or zone extending beyond the end of the flyer. Eachspool 66 is carried by a respective one of a plurality of rods 62secured to bosses 63 radiating from a turret 64 rotatably supported on atrunnion stud 66 secured to an upstanding hub 68 formed on ahorizontally reciprocating carriage 10.

As the hier rotates it will turn counterclockwise as indicated by thearrow in Figure 4. Each spool is normally held stationary on itssupporting rod 62 radiating from one of the bosses 63 of the turret by aclamp nut 14. As the flier rotates the wire will be pulled around theseveral guide sheaves and wrapped in coils around the spool which hasbeen aligned with the'axis of the rotating iiier. A spring pressedlocking pin 15 coacts with recesses 11 to releasably hold the turret inposition to align any one of the several spools with the 111er. l

As each convolution is pulled from the bundle 46 it passes through therestricted space between spring fingers 16 and the outer periphery ofthe Y iixed block. This provides for a smooth or uniform pay-olf of thewire from the bundle. From the block the wire passes between tensionplates 18 and 80 the latter being adapted to be adjusted by manipulationoi a tension screw 82. As the spool is moved longitudinally in relationto the hollow trunnion4 88 the wire will be distributed uniformlythereon. To this end vmeans are pro` vided for traversing the turretsupporting carriage 18. The traversing mechanism is best shown inFigures 5 through 7. The base 18 of the carriage is of dove-tail form asshown in Figure 3 so as tol slide in the gib groove 84 of the carriageguide 86 which is bolted t0 the top plate Il afsv by a countershaft |82.This shaft carries a conepulley |84 which is connected by belt |88 witha similar. cone pulley |88 mounted the aforesaid countershaft 28.

The push rod 88 carries a sleeve 8 provided with downwardly extendingarms ||2 and ||4 whose lower extremities are forked at I8 and I8 so asto fit over a ilxed guide rod I 28. Surrounding the sleeve ||8 there isa sleeve |22 which is rotatable thereon. 'Ihis sleeve 22 carriesrespective arms |24 and |28 which carry respective half nuts |28 and |88adapted to be periodically engaged with the feed screws 88 and 88. Asshown in Figure 5 the haii nut |28 is in cooperative feeding relationwith the feed screw 88. At this time the rotation of the screw willfeed-the carriage and turret supported thereby to the left as shown inFigure 2, and therefore toward the flier. During this movement of thespool toward the left, the same enters a central recess formed in theend of the flier as suggested by the dotted portion of the spool shownin Figure 2. After the spool has been moved a suillcient distance to theleft to cause the wire being accumulated to-contact the right flange ofthe spool, a follower |82 will strike a'cam member |84 secured to anadjustable plate |88. This will rock the arm |24. thereassises block tocontrol the pay-od of successive convolutions of the coil and means forexerting a tension on the wire after it is released by the.

" flipper fingers from which tension means the by disconnecting the-nut|28 from the feed screw 88. At the same time, the arm |28 will be rockedso as to engage the nut |88 with the feedv screw 98. Thus the directionof movement of the carriage will be reversed. When the carriage hasmoved a predetermined distance, depending upon the longitudinal distancebetween the flanges on the spool, another cam |88 carried by anadjustable support |48 will come into play and shift positions of thehalf nut. In this manner, the traversing mechanism will distribute thewinding uniformly lengthwise of the spool as the same is shiftedlongitudinally ilrst in one direction and then in the oppositedirection.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that our invention provides apparatusfor winding wire on a spool comprising either a rotary or stationaryblock for supporting a coiled bundle of wire and rotary means such asthe flier for withdrawing the wire from the bundle and winding it arounda spool, and that the spool support is in the nature of a rotatableturret carrying a plurality of arms ixedly positioning respective spoolsthereon in such manner that the spool supportwire moves longitudinallythrough the hollow trunnion oi' the `flier and around the guide sheavescarried thereby to a zone outwardly of and beyond the extremity oftheflier head which is'remote from the trunnion. From this point beyond theilier head the wire is distributed uniformly lengthwise of the spool byreason of the factthat the traversing mechanism automatically moves thespool back and forth at a rate properly coordinated with .the windingmotion and the pitch or advance of the feed screws.

An important advantageous feature inherent in the described mechanism isthat the spool is held stationary and the wire is wound thereon at ahigher rate of speed than that obtainable by conventional apparatusheretofore generally used. The improved machine shown herein has beensuccessfully operated at spooling speeds ranging from 900 to 2600 feetper minute, which is approximately four timesv faster than prior artpractice, and still higher speeds are believed to be readily obtainable.One governing factor in the high speed spooling of wire is the tendencyof the wire leaving the bundle to snarl or tangle. This tendency islargely overcome in the machine of our invention by the above describedspring flipper ilngers and tension plates which are effective in thecombination to control the uniform pay-oil of wire from the bundle.

The invention makes possible. an important saving since wooden spoolscan be successfully used in place of the more expensive metal spoolsheretofore required forv high speed spooling. Since the wooden spools in.the machine of our invention are held stationary, there is no danger oftheir iiying to pieces undei the influence of centrifugal force as theywould very' likely do if rotated at a speed comparable tothe rate ofwire travel obtainable by use of our improved machine.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated, the block from which thewire is paid oi! is normally stationary. It is to be understood,however, that the invention also .contemplates paying the wire olf froma rotary reel or block.V

While we have described quite precisely the construction and arrangementof coacting instrumentalities which an actual reduction to practice hasshown to be highly desirable, it is not to be construed that we arelimited thereto, since various modifications may be made by thoseskilled inthe art without departure from the invention as defined in theappended claims.

We claim:

1. Apparatus for winding wire on a spool comprising. a normallystationary means supporting an elongated loosely coiled bundleof Wire, arotary member for withdrawing convolutions of said wire endwise fromsaid bundle and winding it around a spool, a spool support carryingmeans for ilxedly positioning a spool thereon, and means ing turretcarriage can be traversed in opposite directions periodically in suchmanner as to uniformly distribute the wire withdrawn from the bundleuniformly lengthwise of the particular spool carried by the turret,which has been aligned with the axis of the flier trunnion. The partsdisclosed include-means such as exempliiied by the flipper fingerscoacting with the for traversing said spool support inopposite-directions periodically so as to distribute the winding of wirewithdrawn from the bundle uniformly lengthwise of a spool carried bysaid support.

2. Apparatus for winding wire on a spool comprising,a normallystationary block supporting an elongated loosely coiled bundle of wire,a rotary ierfor withdrawing convolutions of said wire endwise from saidbundle and winding it around a non-rotating spoolmeans successivelyengaging each convolution to control the endwise pay-off thereof, aspool support carrying means for detachably securing a spool thereto,

and means for traversing'said spool support in opposite directionsperiodically so as to distribute the winding of wire withdrawn from thebundle uniformly lengthwise of a` spool carried by said support.

3. Apparatus for winding wire on a spool comprising, a normallystationary means supporting a coiled bundle of wire, a rotary member forwithdrawing wire from said bundle and winding it around a spool, aturret carrying a plurality of spool positioning members. a carriage onwhich the turret is rotatably supported, means for traversing saidcarriage in opposite directions periodically so as to distribute thewinding of wire Awithdrawn from the bundle uniformly lengthwise of aspool carried by said support.

4. Apparatus for winding wire on a spool comprising, a normallystationary means supporting a coiled bundle of wire, a rotary member forwithdrawing wire from said bundle and winding it around a spool, aturret carrying a plurality of spool positioning members. a carriage onwhich the turret is rotatably supported, means for traversing saidcarriage in opposite directions periodically so as to distribute thewinding of wire withdrawn from the bundle uniformly lengthwise of aspool carried by said support and means for releasably locking theturret so as to hold selected spool positioning members thereof inproper position to receive wire from said rotary member.

5. Apparatus for winding wire on a spool cornprising, a normallystationary block extending through the central void of and supporting acoiled bundle of wire, a rotary ilier having a hollow axial trunnionthrough which the wire from said stationary block passes and a headcarrying means for guiding the wire from the hollow trunnion to a zonebeyond the extremity of said head remote from said trunnion, a spoolsupport carrying means for xedly positioning a spool thereon, means fortraversing said spool Support in opposite directions periodically withrespect to said flier so as to distribute the winding of wire withdrawnfrom the bundle uniformly lengthwise of a spool carried by said support.

6. Apparatus for winding wire on a spool comprising, a normallystationary block extending through the central void of and supporting acoiled bundle of wire, a spring finger coacting with the block tocontrol the endwise pay-off of successive convolutions of the coiledbundle, means for exerting a tension on the wire after it passes saidspring finger, a rotary ilier having a hollow axial trunnion throughwhich the wire from said stationary block passes and a head carrying aplurality of grooved sheaves guiding the wire from the axial zone of thehollow trunnion to a zone beyond the extremity of the head remote fromsaid trunnion, a spool support carrying means for i'lxedly positioning aspool thereon, means for traversing said spool support in oppositedirections periodically so as to distribute the winding of wirewithdrawn from the bundle uniformly lengthwise of a spool carried bysaid support.

7. Apparatus for winding wire on a spool comprising, a normallystationary block extending through the central void of and supporting acoiled bundle of wire, a spring iinger coacting with the block tocontrol the endwise pay-off of successive convolutions of the bundle,means for exerting a tension on the wire after it passes said springfinger. a rotary flier having a hollow trunnion through the axis ofwhichthe wire from said stationary block passes and a head carryingmeans for guiding the wire from the trunnion to a zone beyond theextremity of the head remote from said trunnion, a spool support movablein a line substantially axially of said trunnion to positions on bothsides of said region so as to distribute the wire withdrawn from saidbundle uniformly lengthwise of a spool securedv fixedly to said support.

8. Apparatus for winding wire on a spool comprising, a normallystationary block extending through the central void of and supporting acoiled bundle of wire, a spring finger coacting with the block tocontrol the pay-of! of successive convolutions of the bundle, means forexerting a tension on the wire after it passes said spring finger. arotary flier having a hollow trunnion through which the wire passes anda head carrying4 a plurality of grooved sheaves guiding the wire fromsaid trunnion to a zone beyond the extremity of said head remote fromsaid trunnion, a turret rotatable on an 'axis perpendicular to that ofsaid trunnion, a plurality of supports to secure spools iixedly to saidturret and adapted to be selectively aligned with said trunnion so as toaccumulate separate batches of wire on respective spools carried by saidsupports, and means for traversing said turret in opposite directionsperiodically so as to distribute the winding of wire withdrawn from thebundle uniformly lengthwise of a respective selected spool carried byone of said supports.

9. Apparatus for winding wire on a spool comprising, a normallystationary block extending through the central void of and supporting aloosely coiled bundle of wire, means engaging the wire and controllingthe pay-off thereof endwise from said loosely coiled bundle, a rotaryflier having a hollow trunnion through the axis of which the wire fromsaid stationary block travels and a chambered head adapted to have aspool moved into and out of nested relation therewith, means for guidingthe wire from the hollow trunnion to a zone beyond the extremity of saidhead remote from the trunnion, a spool mounted on a support movablelengthwise into and out of the chamber in the flier head whereby thewire payed off from said bundle is uniformly distributed while beingwound on said spool by the rotary motion of said flier.

10. Apparatus for winding wire on a spool, comprising means supporting aloose bundle or coil of wire, a rotary member for withdrawing wire fromsaid supply and winding it around a spool, means engaging andcontrolling the payoil of each convolution of wire endwise from saidsupporting means, a spool support carrying means for fixedly positioningthe spool thereon, and means for traversing said spool support inopposite directions periodically so as to distribute the winding of wirewithdrawn from said supply uniformly lengthwise of a spool carried bysaid support.

l1. Apparatus for winding wire on a spool, comprising rotatablysupported means for a loose bundle or coil of wire, a rotary member forwithdrawing the wire from said coil and winding it around a spool, meansengaging and controlling the pay-off of each convolution of wire endwisefrom said supporting means, a spool support carrying means for iixedlypositioning a spool thereon. and means for traversing said spool support4 asuma in opposite directions so as to distribute the winding of wirewithdrawn from the coil uniformly lengthwise of a spool carried by saidsupport.

12. Apparatus for winding wire on a spool, 5

comprising means supporting a loose bundle or coil of wire, meanscontrolling the pay-oi! of wire endwise from said supporting means, a.rotary member for withdrawing wire from said supply and windingit'around a spool. a spool l0 support carrying means for xedlypositioning the spool thereon, and means for traversing said spoolsupport in opposite directions periodically so as to distribute thewinding ot wire withdrawn from said supply uniformly lengthwise of aspool 18 carried by said support.

13. Apparatus for winding wire on a. spool, comprising means rotatablysupporting a loose bundle or coil of wire. means controlling the payo ofwire endwise from said supporting means, a rotary member tor withdrawingthe wire from said coil and winding it around a spool. a spool supportcarrying means for flxedly positioning a spool thereon. and means fortraversing said spool support in opposite directions so as to distributethe winding of wire withdrawn from the coil uniformly lengthwise ofaspool carried by said support.

CARL J. DEN'IZER. GUY W. OTTO J. VANEK.

